When I initially purchased the Peabody-made pitcher at an auction last May in New Hampshire - I originally thought it was made in Merrimacport because of the handle. It had been partially painted red, which I have since removed. The pitcher's handle looked so-similar to the expected handles I have come to know as Merrimacport products; however it was confusing because the overall pitcher's form was a style that was used in Peabody in the eighteenth-and-nineteenth-centuries. What I have come to realize is that similar formed handles were made in both communities - the only real difference I can see is that Merrimacport handles were synonymous from one handle to the next - while in Peabody the form sometimes changed in quality. I have occasionally found a more crude handle was applied in Peabody that sometimes appears amateur when compared to the quality of these handles seen blow. To make it easy - the handles do not always appear the same. A better word (rather than amateur) would probably be a lack of detail or attention given to the handle. The handles were likely the last feature added - and in some instances, a group of pitchers may have had their handles applied all at once - which may indicate why not all the handles are as perfectly executed as this Peabody example. The potters in Merrimacport also worked in a county business atmosphere - while the potters in Peabody worked in an industry atmosphere turning out more products.
Overall - the clay color, the ovoid bodies and size are all similar on these two products - and both glaze colors were used in each area so it can get a bit confusing. The amount of products made in Peabody was much greater than in Merrimacport, but survivors from either area are considered rare today. There had to have been some-sort of influence considering both businesses were located close to each other. It can also be assumed potters from Peabody may have visited the Merrimaport businesses and likewise. There had to have been some-kind of interaction over the years, whether it was through person-to-person contact or viewing each others products, but that's only my opinion - I have no proof of it - only assumption. It would make sense.
(Left) Merrimacport, Ma Red Earthenware Stew Pot
Ca. 1800-1840
(Right) Peabody, Ma Red Earthenware Pitcher
Ca. 1800-1840
Very Similar Handles on the Merrimacport, Ma and Peabody, Ma Products
Clay Color, Size and Ovoid Bodies Are Also Similar
I believe the Peabody-made pitcher was made at the Osborn-family pottery around 1840. Peabody was home to many red earthenware businesses in the eighteenth-and-nineteenth-centuries and the Osborn Pottery was arguably the most prominent among the group. The Osborn family employed at least 32 documented Osborn potters in the eighteenth-and-nineteenth-centuries. I think it is fair to say that not all the Osborn potters were equal in skill and that may account for why some products appear different than others. For example, if you were to examine two separate jugs made at the Osborn Pottery in 1840, there is a chance they will not appear exactly the same despite having the same glaze. My belief is multiple potters may account for this difference. The products in Peabody were often more thickly potted than the products made 20 miles to the north.
In Merrimacport, it was different. All the products, whether they were made at William Pecker's businesss (1784-1820) or at the Chase family pottery (Ca. 1820-1860) looked uniform from one product to the next. It's possible that the smaller amount of potters and equal skill levels accounted for the products keeping with an equal quality. I also tend to see a higher level of perfection with Merrimacport products that I do not see with the average product from Peabody - but don't get me wrong - there are many wonderful products made in both areas. Although I do feel that despite the similarities, William Pecker was the more accomplished potter. It is also my belief that there was more glaze experimentation at the Pecker and Chase Potteries (Ca. 1784-1860) than there was in Peabody (early 18th century to early 20th century). I feel the most accomplished products in Peabody were made in the eighteenth-century. Both areas are thought to have used slip decoration. It was used sparingly after the American Revolution in both areas; however it was used more in Peabody before 1775.
This is an analysis that can be done with potters from all over America. The counties of Pennsylvania shared similarities from one business to the next just like the potters of Western New York did. It's really interesting to see the regional differences, but on the contrary - to visualize the similarities of related products within a region is equally fascinating.
Much More to Come...
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